Score-board or the like.



W. S. BAIRD. SCORE BOARD' 0R THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 21, 1010.

Patented June 30, 19111 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l l- L x W.. S. BAIRD. SCORE BOARD OR THB LIKE. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 21, 1910.

Patented June 30, 1914u 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. S. BAIRD. SCORE BOARD OR THE LIKE. APPLICATION rILBD Nov. 21, 1910.

Patented June 30, 1914.

r'UllflTlilD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

y,INILLIAM SEWARD BAIRD, OF URBANA, ILLINOIS,` .ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRIC SCORE BOARD COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Banni, a citizenof the United States, residing at Urbana, in the county of Champaign and State of Illinois, have invented certain y new and useful Improvements in Score- Boards or the like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as score boards or the like,

for use at base ball or other games for indieating or signaling to all port-ions of the field, or wherever the board may be positioned, the important points of the game,l

such as for example the successive players, the balls, strikes, outs or such other information as may be desired.

, In the drawings, the score board is shown as applicable for base ball games, but it is obvious that with modifications it may be made applicable for other games, or for giving other signals or information, f or ekample, it may be used with modifications in theaters or other places, to indicate the program number being given, or for election re y turns, advertising purposes, etc.

The invention has among'its objects the production of a simplex., convenient, accurate, eflicient and more satisfactory device of the kind described that will not easily get out of repair, and which may be used .wherever found applicable. f

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatelike or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a sectional View of the mechanism or motor for operating the indicators, the mechanism for one indicator beving shown. Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional View taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig.

1'. -Figi 3 is a sectional View. Fig. 4 isv a sectional view taken"substantially on line lift of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 .is a View in elevation yof' catch mechanism between the ratchet wheels, taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a front'elevation of a portion of the score board and a diagrammatic representation of the operating mechanism Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 30, 19114.

Application led November 21, 1910. Serial No. 593,422.

. for one of the indicators, the wiring and the Be it known that I, WILLIAM Snwann switch board.

Referring to the drawings, in whichthe preferred form of device is shown as score board (Fig. in which l represents the board of any suitable material and size provided with one or more dial faces. The board shown is applicable for abase ball score board and is provided with dial faces 2-3-4-5 and 6, arranged to indicate balls, strikes, outs and the batters, etc., respectively. If desired, the board may be pro-4 vided with dials for giving further information and may be extended, for example, as partially shown at .9, on which any addir tional information may be put, as scores of other games not indicated on the dials, 0r

advertisements, etc. Suitable characters 7, etc., are arranged on the dial faces, the characters depending upon the use for which the board is to be put. Asshown, the dials 2-3 i and 4, for example, need only to be made of sulieient size to contain the information to be given. The information is indicated by indieatorsor pointers 8, suitable mechanism or mechanical `motors being employed for operating the indicators to advance the same or to return them to initial or the intermediate position, .as desired. In use as a base ball score board; the board and dials are preferably made comparatively large, so that the information may be conveyed to an observer at a considerable distance away. The mechanism or motors for operating the indicators are similar for each dial, and may be controlled by suitable mechanisms from a distance, an electrical switchboard 70 being shown, which may be positioned where convenient, or desired, and electrically connected with a mechanism.

In the drawings, the dial 2 is the onlyone shown provided with operating mechanismin suitable bearings 11, carried by the frame 12. The frame 12 maj; be supported in any desired way, as shown it is carried by brackets 13 secured to the back of the score board 1, the shaft 10 projecting through to the face o`f the board. It is of course understood prises a drum 18, secured to or formed integrally with the ratchet Wheel, to which yis secured a cord or chain 19, the free end of the. cord being secured to a 'weight 20, or itsrequivalent. When thevcha'in 19 is wound on the drum the weight 20 tends to rotate the drum and wheel. The ratchet wheel 14, howeveris normally prevented from rotating to advance the indicators by means of a pawl 21, or its equivalent, which may be operated in any suitable manner, as shown by means of an electro-magnet22, controlling rthe armature 211 on the pawl 21.` 'lhe pawl 21 may be pivotally secured by a pin 25 to an extension 24 on the bracket 23, thebracket also servingto support the magnet 22. When the pawl is raised the weight 2O tends -to rotate the drum and unwind. the chain 19 from the drum, at the same time rotating the ratchet Wheel 14 until the next tooth 15 on the wheel is engaged by the pawl 21, assuming that the magnet 22 has become denergized. v

`Loosely arranged on the shaft 10 is a ratchet wheel 26, provided with teeth 27,

a drum 28, acord or chain 29.and weight 30. rllhe arrangement of the .drum and chain is such that when the wheel is re.- lcased, as hereinafter'described, thexsame will be rotated` in a reverse direction to that of the wheel 14 just described. Suitable means are provided on one of the wheels for engagement with the other. 1n the construction shown th`e engaging means -is carried by the wheel 26 and adapted to engage the teeth extensions 16 of the teeth 157 on the wheel 14. As shown, the wheel 26 is provided with extensions 31, which guide and support a dog or engaging memf ber 32, which is normally out of engagement with, but adapted to engage the extended teeth 16 on the ratchet 14 when desired. The member 32 is preferablypset at 33 to pass the shaft 10, and is normally maintained out of engagement with any of the teeth extensions 16 by a resilient ment ber 35 and coperating pin 36, a pin 34 limiting the movement of the member in the opposite direction. f

Any suitable means may be'provided for operating the member 32, as shown a lever 38 pivotally carried by. a pin 39 on the Lioaaie wheel 36, is slotted as at 44, and engages the pin 43 on the member 32. As the `free end of the lever 38 ispdrawn toward the shaft 10 it forces one end of the member 32 in the way of one of the teeth extensions 16 of the wheel 14. l preferably control or magnet 41, carried by thef bracket 42 on the Jwheel 26, arranged to coperate with an armature 40 on the lever, the magnet being controlled as hereafter described. To

41 and the lever 38, a counterweight may bcvprovided on the wheel 26. Any suitable means, not shown, may be provided 'for Winding the chain 29 on the drum 28 when the weight is run down. Wheel 26 is normally prevented from rotating by a pawl 46,- arranged to .engage one ofthe teeth 27, the pawl being provided'with an armature 48 and the controlling magnet 49 carried by the bracket 50, the bracket being extended as at 51 and the pawl secured hereto by means of a pin 511 or its equivaent.

'llo prevent any accidental back-throw, or reverse rotation of the wheel 14, l provide a resilient catch 55, on a bracket 56, carried by the extension 31, tlieeatch being adapted to engage the teeth 16.in notches 57. A resilient member 58 strengthens and main'- tains the c'atch 55 in operative position. (See 1F igs. 3 and 5). 1t is ofcourse underkstood that any equivalent means may be provided for preventing the accidental backthrow or rotation mentioned.

The extended part .60 of the' wheel 26 isprovided With a cominutator ring 61, suitably insulated therefrom b-y insulation 62, or its equivalent. 'llhe commutator ring 61 is electrically connected to one of the windings of the magnet 41, a hole,` or duct 63, through which the wire may pass on the interior of the drum 28, being provided. A brush 65 carried by a bracket 66 on the frame 12, but insulated therefrom, contacts with the-commutator ring 61, the brush being suitably electrically connected with the switch or keyboard 70, as hereafter described.

Suitable binding posts 52 and 53, etc., may be provided for attaching the terminal of energy may be employed for controlling the electro-magnets, a battery 75 being shown for the purpose. A simple switchboard is shown'in liig. 6, in which ligure I show a plurality of switch-bars or switches 71 and contacts 72-73 and 74, it being understood, however, that any other form'.` of switchboard or switch mechanism may be employed. Referring to this'gure, the contact 7 2 is electrically connected with a magnet 22, the return Wire from the `magnet being grounded or otherwise connected operate the lever 38-by means of an electro counter balance the Weight of the magnets los wires from the electro-magnets. Any source opposite or switch 71 is ductor 85 and `found unnecessary may be returned 65 ing still maintained closed.

with the battery. The switch 71 is connected to the battery. The contact 73 is electrically connected to the magnet 41, as described, through the brush and commutator (S5-61, while the contact 74 is electrically connected to the magnet 49, it being understood that the magnets 41 and 49 are grounded through the-mechanism, frame, ctc., or otherwise connected to the side of the battery, which is shown grounded on one side and connected to the switch-bar 71 on the other.

Assuming that it is desired to advance the indicator 8 to the character 1, the lever moved to contact with the contact member 72, making a closed electrical circuit, as follows: battery 7 5, conductor 76, switch 71, contact 72, conductor 77, magnet 22, conductor 78, ground g, conthe battery 75. This energizes the magnet 22 and raises the pawl 21, releasing the engaging tooth 15 so that the weight 20 rotates the wheel 14, thereby turning the shaft 10 and the indicator 8. As

25 soon as the pawl 21 has been raised the switch 71 may be opened, breaking the circuit, so that the pawl 21 immediately drops and engages the next, or approaching tooth of the wheel 14, so that the indicator stops It might be noted that escapement mechanism, not shown, may be provided to prevent the wheel 14 from moving more than one tooth, or beyond the desired distance. In practice, however, this has been for either of the ratchet wheels, and is` therefore not illustrated. It is ofcourse understood that further operation of the switch 71. advances the indicator 8, for example as shown in thc dotted lines 40 on dial 2 in Fig. 6. The indicator may be advanced as far as desired, as for example, in case where the dial is similar to 5 and 6, it may be continuously rotated. However, `it ispreferred to have the same so that it either to initial or to an intermediate position when desired, without completely passing around the dial, regardless of the form of dial used. The operation of the mechanism to accomplish this is as 5a follows: To retrieve or to return the indicator, the switch 71 is thrown to contact with 78, so that the `member 82 is forced out to engage one of the teeth extensions 16 on the wheel 14. This circuit may be traced as follows: battery 75, conductor /76, switch 71,

contact 73, conductor 79, brush 65, commu tator 61, conductor 80, magnet 41, conductor 81, ground g, conductor 85 and the battery. As the arm or lever 88 is drawn toward the center, the member 32 is forced out, for example when the wheel is in position shown in Fig. 3, it is forced downward. The switch is then thrown farther to cover the contact 74, the circuit just described be- 'Ilhe newly j formed circuit may then be traced as follows: battery 75, conductor 76, switch 71, contact 74, conductor 83, magnet 49, conductor 84, ground, conductor 8,5 and the battery. This raises the pawl 46, releasing the engaged tooth 27, so that the weight 80 drives the wheel 26 in a reverse direction to the previous rotation of the wheel 14, the two, however, being connected through the niember 82. The wheel 14 is therefore also rotated in a reverse direction. The wheel 14 is in this manner rotated or driven a sufficient distance to retrieve the indicator 8, as desired, to initial or to an intermediate position. The travel of the wheel 26 will of course be as desired, for example, if the indicator is lat 3 on dial 2, it will be permitted to rotate sufficiently to return the indicator I8 to where desired. AS Soon as it is rotated the desired distance the switch-bar 71 is thrown to an open position so that the magnets 41 and 49 are denergized, causing the pawl 46 to drop and engage one of the teeth 27 and permitting the member 32 to be re tracted out of engaging position. It will be noted that the wheel 14 is engaged before the pawl 46 is raised. Broadly described, the mechanism or motor, consists of two rotatable members normally rotatable in opposite directions, provided with means for ro tating the same and with means for normally preventing their rotation, and means for connecting the two as desired, so that one may be rotated or driven by the other in a reverse direction to its normal rotation.

From the description of the operation it will thus be seen that the indicators may be advanced or retrieved, as desired, that is either by advancing one, two, three or more points at intervals, or several points at a time, that they may be returned or retrieved in the same manner, either to the initial position or to any intermediate position, without passing completely aro-und the dial. This is particularly convenient. For example, in the case of the dials 5 or 6, assuming that the indicator was at 1, indicating that No. 1 player was at hat, and that after his turn, No. 12 was called. In this case the indicator would be dropped back to 12. If it could not be soretrieved, it would be necessary to rotate 'it completely around the dial, or assuming that` in operation the indicator was turned one point or character too far, it would be necessary to make a complete rotation to correct the error. As before` mentioned, the mechanism is applicable for many uses, an illustration bel several indicators. Numerous other eX- amples might be mentioned or illustrated in the drawings showing ydifferent uses.

.Having thus described my invention, itis obvious that various immaterial modications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the eXact form, arrangement, construction or combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

YWhat l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A score board provided with characters on the face thereof arranged about a common center, an indicator arranged to cooperate Withthe characters on said face, and electrically controlled gravity operated means for advancing or retrieving said'indicator comprising a rotatable shaft, a ratchet wheel secured thereon and provided with a suitable drum, a Weight, a cable secured thereto and to said drum, a coperating pawl for said ratchet wheel, controlling means for said pawl, and means for engaging and rotating said .ratchet wheel in a direction opposite to its normal direction of rotation.

2. A score-board provided with a iiXed dial having suitable characters thereon, a pointer arranged to coperate with the characters on said dial, and means for operating said pointer, comprising a rotatable shaft, a ratchet wheel secured on said shaft, means for normally rotating said ratchet A wheel, means for electrically controlling the rotation thereof, a rotatable member loosely arranged on said shaft and provided with means for engaging'said wheel, and electrically controlled actuating means for said member.

3. A score board provided with a fixed dial face having a plurality of suitable characters thereon, a rotatable shaft, an indicator mountedthereon and arranged to cooperate with said characters, and electrically controlled means for actuating said indicator to advance the same or to return it to initial or an intermediate position comprising a pair of ratchet wheels, means for normally rotating the same in opposite directions, means for operatively connecting the two as desired, and means for normally preventing the rotation of said wheels.

4. A score board of the kind described provided with a plurality of lixed dials having suitable characters thereon, in combination with an indicator for each dial, means for normally preventing the actuation of any of said indicators, means for actuating any of said indicators in either direction independently of the others, and electrically operated means for independently controlling said actuating means.

5. A score board of the kind described ia-came provided with a plurality of fixed dials thereon, each marked for identification and provided with suitable characters for indil` eating variable information, an indicator for each dial and movable thereabout ar- -ranged to coperate with the characters on gravity operated means for advancing saidV indicators as desired, electrically controlled means for normally preventing the advancement thereof, gravity operated means for retrieving said indicators as desired including electrically operated engaging means between said advancing and retrieving means, and electrically controlled means for normally preventing the retrieving thereof. 7. ln a device of the kind described, a dial, an indicator movable about said dial, means for operating said indicator, comprising a rotatable member and gravity operating means for actuating the same, means for normally preventing the actuation of said member, and means for actuating said member in the opposite direction as desired including electrically controlled clutch mechanism.

8. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a dial provided with suitable characters thereon, a movable indi cator arranged to coperate with said dial, and electrically controlled means for actuating` said indicator to advance the same or to return it to initial. orv intermediate position, said means comprisin a rotatable member and means for rotating same, electrically controlled means for normally controlling the rotation thereof, a rotatable driving member and means tending to normally rotate the same in a direction opposite to the rotation of said first mentioned member, electrically controlled means for normally controlling the rotation of said last mentioned member, and electrically controlled means for connecting said members together during the rotation of said driving members. 9. In a device of the kindv described and in combination,`a dial provided with suitable characters thereon, a movable indicator arranged to coperate with' said dial and electrically controlled means for actuating said indicator to advance the same or to return it to initial or intermediate position, said means comprising a.` rotatable member and means for rotating the same, electrically controlledv means for normally preros lll@

venting the rotation thereof, a rotatable driving member and means tending to normally rotate the same in a direction opposite to the rotation of said first mentioned member, electrically controlled means carried by one of said members and arranged to operatively engage the other member.

10. In a device of the kind described, a score board provided With a dial on the face thereof, said dial having suitable characters thereon, an indicator arranged to cooperate With the characters on said dial and electrically controlled means for advancing said indicato!` or returning sam-c toward the initial position, comprising a pair of members 'rotatably mounted on a common shaft, means for rotating said members in opposite directions, one of ysaid members connected With said indicator', electrically controlled means for normally preventing the rotation of said member, electrically controlled means for normally preventing the rotation of the other of the said members, means for connecting said memb'rs and electrically controlled means for actuating said connecting means.

11. Ina device of the kind described, a score board Y)rovided with a dial on the face thereof, said dial having suitable characters thereon, an indicator arranged to cooperate with the characters of said dial, and means arranged on the back of said board for advancing said indicator or returning same toward the initial position, comprising a pair of members rotatably mounted on a common shaft, means for rotating said members in opposite directions, one of said members connected with said indicator, means for normally preventing the rotation of said member, means for normally pre'- venting the rotation of the other of the said members, means for connecting said members/and meansfor actuating said connecting means.

12. In a`device of the kind described and in combination, a score board provided with a dial face thereon, an indicator movable over said face, and electrically controlled means for actuating said indicator, said means comprising a driven member connected with the indicator, means for rotating said member to advance said indicator, electrically controlled means for normally preventing the rotation of said member, and means for rotating said driven member in a reverse direction when desired, comprising a driving member therefor normally rotatable in a reverse direction relative thereto, means normally out of engagement for operatively connecting said driving and said driven members when desired, and electrically controlled means for normally pref venting the operation of said driving meniber. f.

13. In a device of the kind described and in combination with suitable indicating mechanism, a pair of members rotatably mounted upon a common shaft, electrically controlled means for normally preventing the rotation of said members, means for rotating said members in opposite directions when released, means carried by one of said members for engaging the other, and electrically cont-rolled means for operating said engaging means.

14. In a score board of the kind described and in combination, a dial, an indicator rotatable thereon, actuating means for said indicator comprising a motor consisting of two members arranged on a common shaft and normally rotatable in opposite directions, said members provided with means for engaging cach other, electrically controlled means for operating said engaging means, and electrically controlled means for controlling the operation of said members as desired.

15. In a device of the kind described and in combination with indicating mechanism, controlling mechanism for said indicating mechanism comprising, a motor consisting of tivo rotatable members normally rotatable in opposite directions, and provided with means for rotating the same, means for normally preventing the rotation of said members, and means for connecting the two as desired, so that one is rotated by the other in a direction the reverse of its normal rotation.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM SIGWARD BAIRD. Witnesses:

CHAS. B. JonNsor LoUIs V. LANUM. 

